2020-02-18 - Two Techies Talk

The weather seems nice enough for winter. Due to that horrid groundhog, it seems as if more cold times are ahead for the Gray Harbor community. Yet Stefhan seems to be one who is prepared for the cooler times. He wears a dark coat as he casually walks along one of the trails. The pace is a slow one and he continues to move on, though obviously not in any rush. He does pause to comment, "Hard to imagine that there are rumors of murders here."

Kim decided to take a little walk and do some work outside. A rarity for her, but a little more sunlight wouldn't kill her. With her laptop bag over her shoulder and just in her normal wear. Cold doesn't seem to bother the Japanese American at all, at least not this degree of cold. Walking down on the trails and looking for comfy bench or maybe even a spot under the trees without too much snow. Passing Stefhan at his comment "Honestly I didn't think there is anywhere is this town that doesn't have rumors of murders happening. Like seriously everywhere I've visited...sorry you probably meant that to be more a comment to yourself."

Stefhan turns to look over toward the Asian woman and offers a polite nod and a smile. "That, is quite true." He then shrugs and comments, "Oh, it is not a problem. Nothing to apologize for. It's a public place so, if I didn't intend for my comment to go public, then that is my problem, not yours." Continuing on the conversation he asks, "New in town?"

Kim with polite and friendly response offers a polite smile "Then okay. I sometimes have a habit of answering when people talk to themselves and some have told me it's off-putting." she gives a little shrug. "Not entirely new. Been here a little over a month. How about yourself someone from here or elsewhere? Oh right I'm Kim Nakamura." offering her name and hand in greeting.

Stefhan extends his hand in return and says, "Chicago, originally actually. I guess that's a bit off the broken path, yes?" He gives an official introduction in turn and says, "Stefhan Rosenberg. It is a pleasure Miss Kim. Hopefully the cold weather isn't getting you too down though, I imagine I am used to it."

Kim gives a soft shake to the extended hand "Chicago? Got to visit there once nice museums and the best Indian food I've ever had. I'm a Portland native myself. I wouldn't say a broken path but maybe where you were meant to end up. At least for a time." she hhmmms at hearing his name "Stefhan, you wouldn't happen to be the same Stefhan who owns The Hub would you?" maybe word of one of the few computer stores has gotten around. "It nice to meet you as well. The isn't too bad, really for me it's autumn is to most people. Come summer time though...that gets me down. But yeah though being from Chi-town, am I saying that right? Anyway you'd be used to even worse weather then this."

Stefhan looks out over at the snow for a moment, as if contemplating something, then he looks back to her, "Why yes." he comments, "The new computer business in town. Clients seem to be coming and going, and business is slow, but I'm thankful for it. I haven't noticed too many bad reviews on the internet as of late and, since I know the 'net, I would assume that's a pretty good thing."

Kim nods her head to his answer. "I've actually been meaning to drop by. I'm with CyberTek Securities, maybe you've heard of us?" if Stefhan has any interest in the larger digital securities he probably has. They aren't the biggest but in the top ten, rumored to have gotten there in the past few years in no small part to the efforts of a small green haired woman. "We specialize in all forms of online and offline computer security. I'm the only one from the company here so I thought about seeing if you'd be interested in our services or perhaps your clients. We are always looking to partner with small businesses." that's the company spiel at any rate. "Sounds like your business is growing and that's great. Few bad reviews are okay, good reviews are better. I'm positive your business will grow in time. There isn't a whole lot of competition in Grey Harbor. You are pretty net savy yourself are you? That's good you'd be surprised at the number of computer business owners who aren't." she offers.

Stefhan shrugs and says, "Not as much as I would like to be but." He eyes her with growing interest, "Yes, your company is a little familiar. I have to admit I do not specialize in the security aspect but, that is an important thing. You never know who or what might be threatening you. Perhaps we should talk business at some point. Networking with those who have similar interests never hurts anyone." He then pauses as he looks at her hair and begins to connect the dots, "I think you have a good reputation for yourself Miss Kim. Anyone would be delighted to work with you."

Kim continues to give her polite smile "I'm sure you'll get there. Every business takes time and how long have you been in Gray Harbor?" Her smile grows as he heard of them. "Security is hugely important and not everyone does. It takes a special sort of mindset to understand the people who try to break it." raising her finger to tap her chin "You are right you never know. Threats from China are the most common these days, doesn't mean they are only one. Of course I'd love to talk business at some point." not really she hates, but it is what is expected of her. Plus being polite and all "You're right at the very least being able to talk shop with those in the industry is never a bad thing. Oh you've heard the name Nakamura before it seems. Not many people actually have since interest in the people that digital life safer isn't as great as just knowing it works. And thank you so much. I do my best."

Stefhan continues on with the pleasant chat and says, "Well, that is good. If you do your best then no one can do better. I haven't worked with many Chinese. However, I did hear many say that if things don't change, we will all need to learn to speak Mandarin. How true that is I really do not know. Regardless, it is important to be mindful of threats, for multiple reasons."

"I won't say that's true yet, but one day I'll be at the very top of my field. It isn't the legitimate Chinese companies you have to worry about and we've done some work with a few. Nothing I've been involved with...they can be a little dismissive of someone with my ancestry." Kim says "Oh I doubt things are as bad as some people say. I've heard awhile back they said the same about the Japanese." she her thought with a small chuckle. "Sorry I'm going on aren't I? What brings you to this wonderful little town?"

Stefhan smirks for a moment and says, "Let's just say my family thought it was a good change for me to get away from Chicago." he ahems for a moment and says, "Trouble, with women. I haven't had a similar situation for years now, so I guess there's no trouble. I just threw myself into my studies and now, into my work. The small town atmosphere is a bit unique to me but, as the saying goes, maybe a change has done me good?"

Kim tilts her head a bit at his comment "You have a close relationship with your family as well? I find a lot of people I meet really don't." then his follow up she Ahs "Problems with women I get. I'll admit being a state away from my ex played a part in my taking a assignment here. Oh though you're talking about awhile ago. Sure though I can see throwing yourself into learning and work. Retreating isn't always a bad thing." she pauses for a moment "You don't like the small town vibe or have you been having issues in town? I find it a lot better than a larger city. Things seem to be very different here and most of it for the better. At least in my experience."

Stefhan nods to the question and says, "Yes, I am close to my mother. I haven't seen her face to face in a while but I talk to her quite often. I think my father is behaving himself recently though that wasn't always the case. The woman I fell for, well, she was something else. I guess they all are, right? Or else we wouldn't talk about them the way they do."

"It's a good thing you have a close relationship with your mother, in my book at least. Mine always bugs me about...eh never mind. Oh troubles with your dad? Sorry I don't mean to pry." Kim offers a shrug of her shoulders in apology "You aren't wrong. They all can be, even when one turns out to be a little stalkery or a lot. Not trying to say the woman you fell for was. Luck changes though and maybe you'll meet someone here. Plenty of nice women around, maybe at some point I can introduce you to some of my friends. If you ever feel ready to take a chance again."

Stefhan shrugs and says, "I admit, I have a thing for blondes. I'm not expecting anything though. I admit there was a wonderful conversation I had last night with a gorgeous woman from Russia. She was, very pretty, then she talked and, she was more attractive, if that could even be possible. But, a lot of women in the area are a bit sour. Present company excluded of course. If it happens, it happens, if it doesn't well, I doubt there's much I could do to control such things. Thank you for the warm wishes though."

Kim thinks about it for a moment "Can't say any of my friends are really blonde. It never hurts to try and you can never have too any many friends. Oh a Russian girl? Can't say I've seen any in town yet. That sounds really nice though and if you had a good talk. So hopefully you at least got her number?" before she ohs again "Oh really? I've found the women here to be nothing but nice. Have you had some bad experiences? Maybe you just had some not so great luck. True though if things happen then they do, but if you don't look then it will never."

Stefhan chuckles a little and says, "I did, but I'm not one to push anything. If I got a clear idea she was interested I admit I would pursue it but, one conversation, that's not good odds. I did have, bad experiences. Let's just say that the world of business is...nicer."

Kim gives him a wink "You have to be a little pushy. Maybe not come on too strong but just send a text saying like 'hey great to hang out with you and I would like to again.' Sure it isn't great odds but you never know. I hadn't follow through and well made some hard calls I'd have been gotten my Grace-kanojo. So take chance the worst she can say is she isn't interested if you ever get that far...and we just meet and I've trying to give you relationship advice. Eh sorry. Well I'm sure your future experiences will be better." she offers

Stefhan sighs a bit and says, "Oh, I don't know. She could have a boyfriend, or, worse yet, a husband." He smirks a little and says, "Kanojo? I guess this Grace is your sweetheart then? If she's a blonde, could be trouble." he chuckles and then just shrugs, "We will see. It's the modern age so it works both ways. She could always reach out to me you know."

Kim shrugs her shoulders "She could or she could neither. Only one way to know." oh right so many of her friends never ask for a explanation on the honorific "Kanojo is a sort of...you could call it add on to someone's name. In Japanese it means girlfriend and can mean more." she explains "So yeah you could say she's my sweetheart...haven't called someone that in a long time. Though she's brunette like me, well my natural hair color anyway. So sorry out of luck there." she giggles"Yep she could, but if you are interested you should try. That's my reasoning. What brought you out to the park anyway?"

Stefhan shrugs and continues on with the casual chat, "Oh, just enjoying the change of scenery I suppose. The snow can be quite comely if you take the time to appreciate it. I'm sure soon I will go back to the office with the computers and things. There's many items to work on. I guess it never really ends."

"Haven't thought of snow that way in awhile. Not since I did landscapes. It's certainly a beautiful way of looking at it though. A change of scenery is nice on it's own from time to time. I've been trying to force myself outdoors more of late." Kim muses "There is always more to work on and that's what makes it exciting. Something of a never ending challenge. But I guess you could just call that life as well."

Stefhan comments, "Being in the business it's important to remember that challenges will certainly always be there....always. It's just something to remember really. We can't be nice all the time when it comes to such matters, even if we are supposed to be. Still, I definitely hold ethics in high regard."

Kim nods in agreement to most of the sentiments "I would disagree that we can't be nice all the time, well nearly. Even with some not so nice action you still do it in a nice way. Eh well ethics in my field get a little grey, not in actual business dealing of course." not really going into what that mean. "To be honest though business dealings are generally handled by people would aren't me, unless I'm the only choice. I just make the magic happen behind the scenes. So I can certainly appreciate being able to hold ethics in high regards as it relates to business."

Stefhan continues on with the chat and remarks, "Sometimes the people behind the scenes are the ones who have the real power. It all depends though. So, do you have a place for your business setup yet or, are you just seeing where things go?"

"Well we are the ones who get stuff done. All the business skill in the world means nothing without a product." Kim laughs softly "Oh no I'm just onsite for a client. With Seattle being so close the company didn't feel the need for a office to get set-up. Maybe that will change in the future, but in that cases satellite offices are usually run out of the home. Since most of work takes place online." Kim explains how her company usually does things. "But you know since I am here it's always good to reach out. Since I am a good company girl and also they sign my paychecks."

Stefhan yawns a little and says, "That is a good thing, definitely a good thing. I'm glad they do. You should stop by The Hub sometime if you have a free moment. For now, I think I need to go back and check on somethings. It was nice meeting you Miss Kim. Stay safe."